How to keep an indoor cat happy when they want to go outside?

Unfortunately now she has been out it is very difficult to blunt this natural behavior. Providing climbing toys and other distractions can help but it may be easier to keep her 100% indoor or regular free access outdoors. Many people build secure, aviary type pens to provide safe, outdoor exercise areas

Once cats have gotten a taste of the outdoors, it can sometimes be difficult to get them to want to stay inside. I would recommend getting a cat tree where she has a view of the outside and can lay in the sun. If possible, put a bird feeder just outside the window so she can watch the birds. Place a Feliway diffuser in that area. This is meant to decrease stress and is available here: This is also an excellent resource for information on how to make life for indoor cats less stressful: https://indoorpet.osu.edu/cats

This will depend on whether you want your kitty to be an indoor only cat or an indoor/outdoor cat. If you do not want him an outside cat you will just have to bear with it. He will eventually stop wanting to go out. You can also make a cat enclosure outside, so he can get at least the illusion of being outside. If you don't mind that your kitty goes outside, you can take him out for a walk in the yard or garden and then bring him in again. extend the trips every day. Make sure you do not free feed him then, but feed him canned food in the morning and evening calling him by name. That way he will come home when you call him. Make sure he stays inside at night.

While it can be difficult sometimes to turn an indoor/outdoor cat to one who stays strictly indoors, I think that Ray is young enough that you should give it a try if you're concerned about his safety. You could look into putting up an enclosure (sometimes called a 'catio') so he can still spend some time outdoors.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I would encourage you to enrich his environment inside by adding toys, scratch pads and other things that he can find interesting. I also really like a product called Feliway which helps to make cats feel more at ease in their environment. This is something you can easily get from your pet store or online. Doing these things is likely going to help with this tremendously. Good luck and and have a great day!

Indoor cats typically have a safer and longer lifespan than thier outdoor counterparts. If she is happy indoors I would not encourage her to go outside. If you are able to build her a secure small "catio" cat porch outside that might be a way she can safely enjoy the outside. But cats that go outdoors are more at risk from trauma from vehicles or other animals and disease, parasites and viruses. I'd be happy that she is content inside.

I would keep him inside so he isn't accidentally harmed or injured. You can add in some toys that are interactive (such as a laser pointer) or even add in some furniture such as shelves or a cat tree that will allow him to climb and get more exercise. If he does like to go outside, buying a cat-harness and leash and taking him on supervised outings outside can help him to explore without getting away and potentially being injured.